The finale part II begins with Charlie and Kirsten at the doctor, where she is having a sonogram. He says that his wife has been eating much and jokes about what could be seen in the image. The doctor tells that soon she will feel the baby moving and reveals that is a boy, they are surprised as they didn't expect to hear the news out of sudden. The doctor jokingly makes a drumroll moment and says "it's a boy!", so the husband and wife happily kiss, celebrating the news. Later, they show a picture to Owen, who can't believe how tiny is the baby. When he asks which name they'll choose, Kirsten says it's a pretty short list, implying they thought Nicolas. He says that Jerry Boffman's parents let him choose the name of his baby brother, Fritz, after a relative. So Charlie suggests Owen should pick the name, to Kirsten's surprise, but he says that he should choose a name of someone that and he owes a lot to, and Owen relates the name of Diana after mom (this comforts Kirsten). This scene was really nice, showed a glimpse of their life as a family, the three together like in the good old times. Owen's story about his friend proved he already can feel that Charlie and Kirsten are like his parents. Then, Charlie goes to pick up Owen from school, and the kid chooses Stewie, after a good soccer player from school (surprising Charlie). This was played for laughs, but it's clear Charlie and Kirsten already planned name their son Nick. Later, the plans of Bailey, Julia and Claudia are revealed to the family. First, Bailey and Claudia talk about their plans, and he says that she can visit him in Philadelphia by train from NY. Then, at Salinger's, Julia and Justin want to tell their plan but they are surprised when Bailey tells them he is moving. She tells about DC, and Claudia reveals the rest about Juilliard, so Charlie and Kirsten are stunned that the three siblings are leaving. Kirsten tries to calm Charlie, who is upset because he thought that only Bailey would leave. Owen feels the same. After the tension in dinner, in the backyard, Julia tries to convince Bailey to stay, but he won't because he always did and now he won't miss his great and last chance for an Ivy League school. While driving, Charlie confides in his wife that 6 years ago, before and right after his parents death, he didn't care much about his siblings, he was living his own life, and now that he loves them the most, he'll be the only one left. He says "I don't know what I'm gonna do", but, I know, he has Kirsten, their future children and Owen, that's enough. Later, Justin tells Bailey that he is blowing off the chance for him and Julia to be together, and start their own life. Also, Claudia considers choosing Stanford and tells Bailey that this time she wants to help him, thinking that he always took care of her, but Bailey says that went both ways, that they're even. She says "not even close". Then, Bailey goes to the factory to work and tells Charlie that he might stay, because the guilt of changing Julia and Claudia's plans, would "kill him", and make him return. He thinks they felt that way before, "it's not ok, but it is what it is". So then, Charlie goes to the house to talk to the three, steps in as the older and says what their mom and dad would: the three have to leave and live their lives, with a very well written speech. He says they stayed together much longer than other families, they survived much worse things than distance, and that eventually they'd have to leave. So they agree to reunite for all the important events, Christmas, Easter, when Charlie and Kirsten's son is born, Owen's birthday. Then, while moving all their stuff to the house, Kirsten says she won't miss the shower or the disposal, and feels glad to have a dishwasher and a backyard again. But Charlie tells her that his father's house is not perfect to raise children, that they would be up/down stairs always for laundry, with a stroller, and the park is uphill. She says that his parents raised the four in the house, never had health problems and they were happy (as happy as themselves overall in seasons 1-2-early 3), but he answers that he wants his own house for his own family, that belongs to them. So they should sell the house and live in another one. He tells this to his siblings, and they complain, but Charlie convinces them that is the right thing to do. He gives as reasons: to pay for Bailey and Claudia's college, help Julia and Justin to settle down in DC, afford Owen's school future and, obviously, buy his own place with Kirsten. Also, for the short time they'll spend in SF each year, the house is not needed, and he'll make sure that the new house is big enough for all of them when they visit. Claudia finally accepts, saying that 17 years were enough and one day she will want her own place too. Soon they find a married couple with children who make an offer. And the emotional heartfelt farewell begins.
The family reunites for the last night in the house, eating pizza, joking about "Stewie" and the names of Charlie and Kirsten next children. Kirsten eats the last slice and they all agree to spend the night in their old bedrooms, after finish packing. Soon, the five start seeing the happy memories (casually all from the first season and half, the Best of the show): Kirsten remembers the proposal to Charlie next to the fireplace (the true one), when they first promised their eternal love for each other. Claudia comes and agrees with the memories saying she made a video tour in the house, but "I'm old, stuff starts to fade", and Kirsten goes upstairs with a box. Then, Claudia remembers how she and Charlie pulled the strings for the tent. Julia reminds teaching dancing to Charlie in the dinning room, smiles, and Griffin arrives. She gives him a wedding present from Ross, cups, so they never get lost. In the backyard, Charlie remembers the work and sing-along with Bailey and Julia. Bailey reminds talking to baby Owen, the kid says Charlie promised he'll have bunk beds in the new house, so Bailey tells how was sharing a room with him. Then, Charlie and Kirsten remember the nights at the parental bedroom "with a bang", laugh "so to speak", both say "I love you" and happily kiss. Julia and Claudia stare at the ceiling of their bedroom as they did many times, and the younger wants to be awake all night because is the last night there. At the morning, Bailey, Julia and Justin prepare their long trip, agreeing to take 2 hour turns to drive and visit any place they want, wanting to do what he couldn't when he tried to go after Sarah. Upstairs, while they keep moving stuff (including the piano), Kirsten feels the baby move and Charlie goes with her to feel. First Claudia goes to feel it too, then Julia, and then Bailey and Owen. When a wardrobe is moved, Kirsten sees marks in the wall, and all go to check on. They see the height marks, remember and Claudia realizes Charlie is taller than dad. The series ends with Bailey and Julia leaning on each other, Claudia seeing the marks with Owen, Charlie and Kirsten kissing, being happy for their baby.
The soundtrack was great, maybe the ending song wasn't the perfect but the final picture is enough. And the farewell, especially with the flashbacks, become really tearful, remembering the good old times, which were happier in a different way. And they had to leave, Charlie's speech said it all, this is a stronger family than many others. When I first saw that Charlie wanted to sell the house, I had the same reaction the siblings had. But then, after rewatching and thinking, it's the best choice. That house has a lot of good memories, they showed that now, but also, has the bad memories, that for obvious reasons, weren't showed here. The episode Personal Demons is the key to let go the house: Bailey's suffering, Charlie calling off the wedding, Kirsten's depression, Julia's miscarriage, the shadow of their deceased parents. And not to mention what happened then: the depressing Christmas of 1996, Bailey's failed intervention (when he almost hitted Charlie and hurt everyone around), Grace, Daphne sleeping in Charlie and Kirsten's bed, the selfish campaign, Charlie's cancer, the neglect of Claudia and Owen, Julia's failed marriage, Ned's visits, Sarah breaking the engagement, etc. I doubt Charlie and Kirsten would like to raise their children in that house. Just leave the good and the bad. Not to forget that although this was a happy ending, this was a very dramatic series. The Salingers have to move on from that house where so many things happened and live their own lives, but with an unbreakable bond between them. That way, they'll share a lot of happy moments, family reunions in Charlie and Kirsten's house. I still wonder about a seventh season, I'd have loved to see what happened back East because Bailey is much closer to Sarah. And if Justin and Julia got engaged or something about Claudia's future. And of course, to see Charlie and Kirsten raising Owen, Diana, Nicolas Salinger and maybe a second child of their own (could be a girl) in their new house. Now it's 2021, and may seem impossible, but there's still time to start something with a new generation, and bringing the original cast as grown up parents.
Was good that this episode belonged mostly to the main characters who were present since the pilot. Michael and Jeremy appeared as Justin and Jeremy in a measured time. This was the farewell of Scott, Matthew, Neve, Lacey and Paula after working together for six years along the writers, directors and crew. Thanks to all of them and everyone involved in this series, I didn't like all the turn outs, plot twists but overall, it's a very good series, that had a wonderful finale, and even asked for more. I'll stay with the best. I wish there's a reunion with the full main cast, including Matthew Fox. This series will remain in history, won the Golden Globe, and me and all the fans who enjoyed it, we'll never forget.
The family reunites for the last night in the house, eating pizza, joking about "Stewie" and the names of Charlie and Kirsten next children. Kirsten eats the last slice and they all agree to spend the night in their old bedrooms, after finish packing. Soon, the five start seeing the happy memories (casually all from the first season and half, the Best of the show): Kirsten remembers the proposal to Charlie next to the fireplace (the true one), when they first promised their eternal love for each other. Claudia comes and agrees with the memories saying she made a video tour in the house, but "I'm old, stuff starts to fade", and Kirsten goes upstairs with a box. Then, Claudia remembers how she and Charlie pulled the strings for the tent. Julia reminds teaching dancing to Charlie in the dinning room, smiles, and Griffin arrives. She gives him a wedding present from Ross, cups, so they never get lost. In the backyard, Charlie remembers the work and sing-along with Bailey and Julia. Bailey reminds talking to baby Owen, the kid says Charlie promised he'll have bunk beds in the new house, so Bailey tells how was sharing a room with him. Then, Charlie and Kirsten remember the nights at the parental bedroom "with a bang", laugh "so to speak", both say "I love you" and happily kiss. Julia and Claudia stare at the ceiling of their bedroom as they did many times, and the younger wants to be awake all night because is the last night there. At the morning, Bailey, Julia and Justin prepare their long trip, agreeing to take 2 hour turns to drive and visit any place they want, wanting to do what he couldn't when he tried to go after Sarah. Upstairs, while they keep moving stuff (including the piano), Kirsten feels the baby move and Charlie goes with her to feel. First Claudia goes to feel it too, then Julia, and then Bailey and Owen. When a wardrobe is moved, Kirsten sees marks in the wall, and all go to check on. They see the height marks, remember and Claudia realizes Charlie is taller than dad. The series ends with Bailey and Julia leaning on each other, Claudia seeing the marks with Owen, Charlie and Kirsten kissing, being happy for their baby.
The soundtrack was great, maybe the ending song wasn't the perfect but the final picture is enough. And the farewell, especially with the flashbacks, become really tearful, remembering the good old times, which were happier in a different way. And they had to leave, Charlie's speech said it all, this is a stronger family than many others. When I first saw that Charlie wanted to sell the house, I had the same reaction the siblings had. But then, after rewatching and thinking, it's the best choice. That house has a lot of good memories, they showed that now, but also, has the bad memories, that for obvious reasons, weren't showed here. The episode Personal Demons is the key to let go the house: Bailey's suffering, Charlie calling off the wedding, Kirsten's depression, Julia's miscarriage, the shadow of their deceased parents. And not to mention what happened then: the depressing Christmas of 1996, Bailey's failed intervention (when he almost hitted Charlie and hurt everyone around), Grace, Daphne sleeping in Charlie and Kirsten's bed, the selfish campaign, Charlie's cancer, the neglect of Claudia and Owen, Julia's failed marriage, Ned's visits, Sarah breaking the engagement, etc. I doubt Charlie and Kirsten would like to raise their children in that house. Just leave the good and the bad. Not to forget that although this was a happy ending, this was a very dramatic series. The Salingers have to move on from that house where so many things happened and live their own lives, but with an unbreakable bond between them. That way, they'll share a lot of happy moments, family reunions in Charlie and Kirsten's house. I still wonder about a seventh season, I'd have loved to see what happened back East because Bailey is much closer to Sarah. And if Justin and Julia got engaged or something about Claudia's future. And of course, to see Charlie and Kirsten raising Owen, Diana, Nicolas Salinger and maybe a second child of their own (could be a girl) in their new house. Now it's 2021, and may seem impossible, but there's still time to start something with a new generation, and bringing the original cast as grown up parents.
Was good that this episode belonged mostly to the main characters who were present since the pilot. Michael and Jeremy appeared as Justin and Jeremy in a measured time. This was the farewell of Scott, Matthew, Neve, Lacey and Paula after working together for six years along the writers, directors and crew. Thanks to all of them and everyone involved in this series, I didn't like all the turn outs, plot twists but overall, it's a very good series, that had a wonderful finale, and even asked for more. I'll stay with the best. I wish there's a reunion with the full main cast, including Matthew Fox. This series will remain in history, won the Golden Globe, and me and all the fans who enjoyed it, we'll never forget.
